Mary’z with a “Z" is a cover-to-cover tribute to 1972's Emmy-winning "Liza With a 'Z'" broadcast featuring BPBCo. members, alumni, and fresh faces presenting & reinventing Bob Fosse & Marvin Hamlisch's set-list in its entirety. The evening begins with Kander and Ebb's "Yes" and ends with a 5-song Cabaret medley. Mixed in are a plethora of standards, show tunes, and numbers written specifically for Ms. Minnelli.

Mr. Matt Frye received a non-Equity Joseph Jefferson ("Jeff") Award nomination for his performance as "Hunter" in [title of show]. It's our very first nomination in our very first year of eligibility, so we're STOKED!

After 5 years, we felt it was time to revisit the words we use to describe who we are, what we do and why. The Board of Directors and the Executive Team spent the beginning of this year retooling the language we use to better reflect the work we have and are going to be doing in the future. The essence of who we are is very much the same, we've just grown a bit. Please take a look at our updated mission statement wording and our re-calibrated values and givens below or on our mission page. Here's to another 5 years!

Mission Statement

​Based in Chicago, Brown Paper Box Co. creates challenging and inspiring theatre that focuses on the text. By employing a smart, simple aesthetic in intimate spaces, we connect audiences directly to the heart of the story.

OUR VALUES

​TEXT- We begin with the text and add what is needed to best tell the story.- We select each show’s concept and design elements to bring clarity to the work.

​CONNECTION- We produce shows only when we feel that the story needs to be told by our company, in our aesthetic for our community.- We match our shows to the venues with the most impact for our audience.

Our Givens

HIGH-QUALITY TALENT We want to work with the best talent for every production.

​- We cast through a color/gender-conscious lens, to create stories for contemporary audiences.- We accommodate as many walk-ins at auditions as possible.- We respond quickly and thoughtfully to all correspondence regarding working with our company.

​COMMUNITYTheatre is a communal art form that brings many different people, businesses, and neighborhoods together.

- We credit all donations and assistance publicly and enthusiastically.- We offer industry rates for every performance of our main productions. - We actively engage with our local and global community through social media, staying updated with previous collaborators and supporting their future work.